Car breakdowns can cause a lot of stress, and sometimes even leads to missed opportunities. However, if you stay alert about your car’s condition and keep up with routine maintenance schedules, the chances of having a car breakdown is minimal. But if it still happens, you must be prepared for the challenge. The prep starts with understanding the common causes of car breakdowns.
Brisbane Towing & Recovery – a leading tow truck provider in Brisbane – is here with the list of 10 most common causes of car breakdowns along with tips and ideas to prevent them. Read on to be prepared on the road!
Flat or Dead Battery
A dead battery or a flat battery is among the most common causes of car breakdowns. Hot, humid weather at Brisbane tends to hasten battery wear and tear, decreasing its lifespan. Leaving your lights on, infrequent car use, and not paying attention to warning signs such as a slow starting engine can all lead to battery failure.
Prevention Tips
– Always check your battery health, especially before going on long trips.
– Ensure that every light and electrical component in the car is turned off when it is parked.
– Replace your battery after every 3 to 5 years or as instructed by the manufacturer.
Flat Tires or Blowouts
Uneven road surfaces, sharp debris, and under-inflated tires can easily cause a flat tire or even a blowout. Drivers in Brisbane often encounter tire problems on the poorly maintained roads or in extreme weather conditions.
Preventive Measures
– Check your tires regularly for wear and damage.
– Ensure that tire pressure is maintained as per the car’s specifications.
– Rotate your tires and replace them when the tread is worn out.
Overheating Engine
Summer heat in Brisbane can push an engine cooling system over the edge and cause overheating. This overheating can be attributed to low coolant levels, a malfunctioning thermostat, or a bad radiator.
Prevention Tips
– Check the coolant levels regularly and replenish them if necessary.
– Ensure that the radiator and cooling system are regularly serviced and kept in optimum working condition.
– Do not overload your vehicle or drive in extreme heat for long periods without breaks.
Starter Motor Failure
Remember, if the car doesn’t start despite the good battery condition, the breakdown could be caused by the starter motor. Most often, this problem emerges due to worn-out parts or an electrical fault.
Prevention Tips:
– Have your car’s starter motor checked during routine maintenance.
– Address any unusual noises or delayed starts promptly.
– Always address sudden noises or unexpected delays immediately.
Fuel System Issues
Using contaminated fuel or running out of fuel will surely bring any ride to a grinding halt. Given the long haul and the almost daily fluctuation of prices here in Brisbane, the average driver of any vehicle would definitely be tempted to stretch his tank capacity possibly increasing the chances of fuel running out.
Prevention Tips:
– Keep that tank at least full quarterly all the time.
– Always use high-quality fuel to avoid contaminated fuel-related issues.
– Get your car’s fuel system regularly serviced.
Electrical System Failures
Modern vehicles rely on highly complex electrical systems for their operation. From blown fuses to faulty alternators, these problems usually result in car breakdowns.
Prevention Tips:
– Test the electrical systems of your car during normal maintenance visits.
– Immediately replace blown fuses or damaged components.
– Address dashboard warning lights as soon as possible.
Brake System Malfunction
Faulty brakes not only bring an accident-causing risk but also a potential safety hazard. Old brake pads, insufficient brake fluid, or a blown brake line can lead to brake failure. This is also one of the most common reasons behind risky car breakdowns.
Prevention Tips
– Ensure regular inspection of your brake system.
– Replace brake pads and fluids on intervals recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle.
– Unusual noises while braking such as squealing or grinding should be observed as a warning sign.
Transmission Problems
A transmission failure can cause your car to end up stuck on traffic roads without power or division. The most common reason behind it is inadequate or contaminated transmission fluid or parts that have worn out.
Prevention Tips
– Check and replace the transmission fluid depending on the maintenance schedule of your car.
– Address any unusual noises or gear-shifting issue immediately.
– Avoid aggressive driving or towing beyond your car’s capacity.
Clutch Failures
When the clutch fails, the driver of a manual vehicle experiences gear shifting difficulties and even complete car breakdown. The main cause of a clutch failure is wear and tear or improper usage.
Prevention Tips
– Avoid riding the clutch or shifting gears aggressively.
– Get the clutch checked during regular maintenance.
– Replace the clutch when the sign of wear, like slipping or sticking appears.
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Alternator Failure
The entire electrical system of the vehicle is powered by an alternator while charging the battery. That’s why, when a fault occurs in an alternator, the power supply to the vehicle completely fails, leaving it stalling. Moreover, Brisbane’s harsh climate and traffic conditions can accelerate alternator wear.
Prevention Tips
– Search for any sign of wear and tension in the alternator belt.
– Replace the alternator as per recommended by the mechanic.
– Address flickering headlights or dimming dashboard lights promptly.
– Don’t delay while fixing flickering headlights or dim dashboard lights.
Most Common Causes of Car Breakdown: Endnotes
Above are the common causes of car breakdown along with tips to prevent it. However, remember car breakdown can happen at any point of time leaving you stranded on the side of the road. Thankfully, there are emergency towing and recovery services you can count on.
Brisbane Towing & Recovery is a leading 24/7 towing service for accident car recovery, container towing, machinery towing, and more. Active in the region for 7+ years, our skilled team of tow operators and vehicle recovery experts in Brisbane use top-notch gear and safety measures for safe towing experience.
Call us on 0438 155 555 to get the best towing services in Brisbane.